Legal Man

Those wacky Belle & Sebastian kids, apparently killing time between exceedingly sensitive art-pop albums, toss out a smirking ode to legal professionals that's awash in fake sitar licks and chipper Mamas & the Papas harmonies. Along with the title track, we also get the thankfully instrumental "Judy Is a Dick Slap" and the Bacharach-tinged "Winter Wooskie." The latter, with its wistful piano, airy vocals, and innocent penny whistle, is the closest thing to what we've come to expect from the U.K.'s most refined pop band. On reflection, this EP is a bit of a throwaway, really, but if you're a Belle & Sebastian fan, you'll want to own it. --Bill Forman